U.S. patent application number 13/304122 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-21 for printing apparatus, printing apparatus control method, and storage medium.
This patent application is currently assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Yoshitaka Oba.
Application Number | 20120154871 13/304122 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46234045 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120154871 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oba; Yoshitaka |
June 21, 2012 |
PRINTING APPARATUS, PRINTING APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD, AND STORAGE
MEDIUM
Abstract
A printing apparatus to print an image on both surfaces of a tab
sheet includes a setting unit and a printing unit. The setting unit
sets whether to align an orientation of a first image to be printed
on a first surface tab portion of a first surface of the tab sheet
with an orientation of a second image to be printed on a second
surface tab portion of a second surface of the tab sheet. In
response to the setting unit setting to align the first and second
image orientations, the printing unit prints the first and second
image to equalize the orientation of the first and second image. In
response to the setting unit setting not to align the first and
second image orientation, the printing unit prints the first and
second image to differentiate the orientation of the first and
second image.
Inventors: |
Oba; Yoshitaka;
(Kawasaki-shi, JP) |
Assignee: |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
46234045 |
Appl. No.: |
13/304122 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 15/021 20130101;
G06K 15/186 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/1.18 |
International
Class: |
G06K 15/00 20060101
G06K015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 15, 2010 |
JP |
2010-279669 |
Claims
1. A printing apparatus to print an image on both surfaces of a tab
sheet, the printing apparatus comprising: a setting unit configured
to set whether to align an orientation of a first image to be
printed on a first surface tab portion of a first surface of the
tab sheet with an orientation of a second image to be printed on a
second surface tab portion of a second surface of the tab sheet;
and a printing unit configured to, in response to the setting unit
setting to align the orientation of the first image with the
orientation of the second image, print the first image on the first
surface tab portion and the second image on the second surface tab
portion in such a way as to equalize the orientation of the first
image with the orientation of the second image, and configured to,
in response to the setting unit setting not to align the
orientation of the first image with the orientation of the second
image, print the first image on the first surface tab portion and
the second image on the second surface tab portion in such a way as
to differentiate the orientation of the first image from the
orientation of the second image.
2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
an obtaining unit configured to obtain image data including tab
image data of an image to be printed on the tab portion of the tab
sheet; and an image processing unit configured to shift the tab
image data included in the image data obtained by the obtaining
unit according to whether the setting unit sets to align the
orientation of the first image with the orientation of the second
image.
3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image
processing unit is configured to differentiate a method for
shifting the tab image data included in the image data obtained by
the obtaining unit between (i) a case where it is set to align the
orientation of the first image with the orientation of the second
image and (ii) a case where it is set not to align the orientation
of the first image with the orientation of the second image.
4. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
obtaining unit is configured to obtain, from an external apparatus,
the image data including the tab image data of the image to be
printed on the tab portion of the tab sheet.
5. A printing apparatus to print an image on both surfaces of a tab
sheet, the printing apparatus comprising: a receiving unit
configured to receive, from a user, information indicating an
orientation of a first image to be printed on a first surface tab
portion of a first surface of the tab sheet and an orientation of a
second image to be printed on a second surface tab portion of a
second surface of the tab sheet; and a printing unit configured to
print the first image on the first surface tab portion and the
second image on the second surface tab portion according to the
information received by the receiving unit indicating the
orientation of the first image and the orientation of the second
image.
6. A method for controlling a printing apparatus to print an image
on both surfaces of a tab sheet, the method comprising: setting
whether to align an orientation of a first image to be printed on a
first surface tab portion of a first surface of the tab sheet with
an orientation of a second image to be printed on a second surface
tab portion of a second surface of the tab sheet; printing, in
response to setting to align the orientation of the first image
with the orientation of the second image, the first image on the
first surface tab portion and the second image on the second
surface tab portion in such a way as to equalize the orientation of
the first image with the orientation of the second image; and
printing, in response to setting not to align the orientation of
the first image with the orientation of the second image, print the
first image on the first surface tab portion and the second image
on the second surface tab portion in such a way as to differentiate
the orientation of the first image from the orientation of the
second image.
7. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a
computer program causing a printing apparatus to execute the method
according to claim 6.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a
printing apparatus control method, and a storage medium.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] The business flow of conventional print industries includes,
as fundamental phases, receiving an order from a customer (or a
client), producing printed products (e.g., magazines, newspapers,
catalogs, advertisement prints, gravures, etc.) according to the
order, and delivering the finished products to the customer (or
client).
[0005] Many of conventional printing companies are still using
large-scale printing apparatuses, such as offset-type printing
machines. The printing work according to a conventional printing
method includes various processes, such as document reception,
design, layout, comprehensive layout (presentation based on a
printer output), correction (layout correction or color
correction), proof (proof print), block copy preparation, printing,
post-processing treatment, and delivery.
[0006] The preparation of a block copy is a mandatory process. When
a block copy is once finished, modifying or correcting the block
copy is not easy. Complicated correction, if performed at later
timing, increases the total manufacturing cost. Accordingly, the
printing work according to the conventional printing method
requires careful corrections, including check of the layout and
confirmation of colors. In this manner, the conventional printing
method requires a large-scale device and a sufficiently longer time
to finish the print works as requested by a customer or client.
[0007] On the other hand, electrophotographic printing apparatuses
and inkjet printing apparatuses can realize high-speed and
high-quality print outputs. A new business model "Print on Demand
(referred to POD)" has been recently introduced to develop a new
market of electronic data-based digital printing.
[0008] The POD system has the capability of processing a relatively
small lot of job and finishing the job in a short time period
without using a large-scale device or system. To this end, instead
of using the conventional commercial printing technique, the
electronic data-based digital printing has been used frequently.
Under such circumstances, printers and digital copying machines are
required to have functions comparable to those that are usable in
the conventional commercial printing industry.
[0009] As discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2004-058508, there is a conventional printing apparatus (and a
related method) capable of detecting the orientation of a sheet
having a heading portion, which is generally referred to as a "tab
sheet", and rotating an image to be printed so that the image can
be accurately positioned on the heading portion.
[0010] However, according to the technique discussed in the
above-described Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2004-058508, the rotation of each image is uniform to have a
predetermined relationship with the conveyance direction of a
bundle of tab sheets. Therefore, the conventional printing
apparatus may output a printed product that is not intended by a
user.
[0011] In particular, when the printing apparatus produces a
booklet (or a pamphlet) that includes at least one tab sheet to be
placed in a drawer, the heading portion of each tab sheet is
required to face toward the outer side (i.e., the front edge
direction) on each of the front/back surfaces. To generate heading
portions of tab sheets differently for the front/back surfaces, the
printing apparatus is required to generate each document
considering the orientation of an output product. As a result, the
generation of each document becomes very complicated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] According to an aspect of the present invention, a printing
apparatus to print an image on both surfaces of a tab sheet
includes a setting unit configured to set whether to align an
orientation of a first image to be printed on a first surface tab
portion of a first surface of the tab sheet with an orientation of
a second image to be printed on a second surface tab portion of a
second surface of the tab sheet, and a printing unit configured to,
in response to the setting unit setting to align the orientation of
the first image with the orientation of the second image, print the
first image on the first surface tab portion and the second image
on the second surface tab portion in such a way as to equalize the
orientation of the first image with the orientation of the second
image, and configured to, in response to the setting unit setting
not to align the orientation of the first image with the
orientation of the second image, print the first image on the first
surface tab portion and the second image on the second surface tab
portion in such a way as to differentiate the orientation of the
first image from the orientation of the second image.
[0013] Further features and aspects of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description of
exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary
embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention and, together
with the description, serve to explain the principles of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a printing system including
an image forming apparatus according to an example embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example
configuration of a print environment illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a user interface (UI) that can be
displayed by a client personal computer (PC) according to an
example embodiment.
[0018] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate tab sheet image generation
processing that can be applied to the image forming apparatus
according to an example embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure for
controlling the image forming apparatus according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0020] FIGS. 6A and 6B are flowcharts illustrating control
procedures for controlling the image forming apparatus according to
an exemplary embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates an original document in comparison with
an output result of printed tab sheets.
[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates an example UI that can be displayed by a
client PC according to an example embodiment.
[0023] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate example calculations for
obtaining the drawing position of a tab sheet heading image
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure for
controlling the image forming apparatus according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0025] FIGS. 11A and 11B are flowcharts illustrating control
procedures for controlling the image forming apparatus according to
an exemplary embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 12 illustrates an original document in comparison with
an output result of printed tab sheets.
[0027] FIG. 13 illustrates an original document in comparison with
an output result of printed tab sheets.
[0028] FIG. 14 illustrates an example UI that can be displayed by a
client PC according to an example embodiment.
[0029] FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D illustrate example calculations
for obtaining the drawing position of a tab sheet heading image
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure for
controlling the image forming apparatus according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0031] FIGS. 17A and 17B are flowcharts illustrating control
procedures for controlling the image forming apparatus according to
an exemplary embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 18 illustrates an original document in comparison with
an output result of printed tab sheets.
[0033] FIG. 19 illustrates an original document in comparison with
an output result of printed tab sheets.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the
invention will be described in detail below with reference to the
drawings.
[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a printing system including
an image forming apparatus (e.g., a printing apparatus) according
to a first exemplary embodiment. The printing system according to
the present exemplary embodiment includes at least one end user
environment 101 and a print environment 103, which are mutually
connected via a network 102.
[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the end user environment 101
according to the present exemplary embodiment includes an end user
environment 104 and another end user environment 105. Each of the
end user environment 104 and the end user environment 105 can be
constituted by a client PC. The print environment 103 can be
constituted by an image forming apparatus 106 that includes a
document reading apparatus.
[0037] Further, each of the end user environment 104 and the end
user environment 105 can be used for a user to generate and output
document data, to confirm an output status of the document data,
and to correct the document data.
[0038] On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 106 can
receive a paper document read by the document reading apparatus as
document/image data and also can receive document data if it is
generated by the end user environment 101. The image forming
apparatus 106 can perform various processing (including image
correction, file merging, page insertion/deletion, page layout
editing, and imposition) on stored document data when it is output
from the image forming apparatus 106.
[0039] Further, when the document data is output, the image forming
apparatus 106 can perform finishing processing (e.g., paper
folding, saddle stitch binding, case bookbinding, cutting,
insertion, and collation) on an output recording medium according
to a work instruction included in a print job.
[0040] A print product can be output when document data generated
by a user is input to the printing system including the end user
environment 101 and the image forming apparatus 106 including the
document reading apparatus.
[0041] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example
configuration of the print environment 103 illustrated in FIG.
1.
[0042] In FIG. 2, the print environment 103 includes a scanning
unit 201, a main body control unit 202, a page description language
(PDL) processing unit 203, an image output unit 204, and an
operation unit 205. Further, the scanning unit 201 includes a
document feeder unit 206 and a document reader unit 207. The image
output unit 204 includes a sheet discharge unit 208, a sheet feeder
unit 209, and an image forming unit 210.
[0043] When a user places and sets a document on the document
feeder unit 206, the scanning unit 201 causes the document reader
unit 207 to read the document according to a copy/image formation
instruction input via the operation unit 205.
[0044] The main body control unit 202 can perform control for
driving the scanning unit 201 and the image output unit 204.
Further, the main body control unit 202 can perform control for a
program to be executed in each of various modes described below.
When the PDL processing unit 203 receives page description language
(i.e., PDL) data generated by the end user environment 101, the PDL
processing unit 203 generates print data based on the received PDL
data.
[0045] When the image output unit 204 outputs document/image data
read by the scanning unit 201 or print data generated by the PDL
processing unit 203, the image output unit 204 can perform image
correction processing, file merging and page insertion/deletion
processing, and required imposition processing according to a work
instruction contained in the data.
[0046] The image output unit 204 causes the sheet discharge unit
208 and the sheet feeder unit 209 to output the data on a recording
medium. At the same time, the image output unit 204 performs
finishing processing (e.g., paper folding, saddle stitch binding,
case bookbinding, cutting, insertion, and collation) on the
recording medium according to the work instruction.
[0047] The operation unit 205 can be used to operate the image
forming apparatus 106 according to the present exemplary
embodiment. The operation unit 205 can transmit key information
input via the operation unit 205 to the main body control unit 202.
The image forming apparatus 106 can control various operations to
be realized by the printing system.
[0048] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a user interface that can
be displayed by a display apparatus included in the end user
environment 105 illustrated in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, an example
setting of each parameter that can be performed by the end user
environment 101 for tab sheet insertion printing is described in
detail below with reference to FIG. 3.
[0049] In the context of the present disclosure, the terminology
"parameter" indicates information usable to identify
characteristics of a tab sheet to be inserted into an original
document. For example, the "parameter" can include a plurality of
setting parameters. In the following description, parameters may be
simply referred to as "settings." In the present exemplary
embodiment, the original document does not include any tab sheet
document.
[0050] A setting screen 301 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes various
input fields that enable users to set parameters for a tab sheet to
be used in the printing. More specifically, the setting screen 301
includes a setting field 302 in which the number of headings can be
designated, a setting field 303 in which the type of the insertion
paper can be designated, and a setting field 304 in which the size
of the insertion paper can be designated.
[0051] Further, the setting screen 301 includes a setting field 305
in which the heading height of the tab sheet can be designated, a
setting field 306 in which the finishing format can be designated,
and a setting field 307 in which the surface to be printed can be
designated.
[0052] Further, the setting screen 301 includes an additional input
field that enables users to set parameters relating to a heading
portion of the tab sheet. More specifically, the setting screen 301
includes a setting field 308 in which the insertion position can be
designated, an input field 309 in which a text to be printed can be
designated, and a setting field 310 in which detailed settings for
the text can be performed.
[0053] In the present exemplary embodiment, the number of headings
setting field 302, the insertion paper type setting field 303, the
insertion paper size setting field 304, the heading height setting
field 305, and the finishing format setting field 306 can be used
for detailed settings of the tab sheet to be printed. The finishing
format setting field 306 enables users to select either "same
direction" or "different directions" with respect to the front/back
surfaces.
[0054] In the end user environment 104 or the end user environment
105, if a setting fixing button is pressed, print setting
information having been designated in respective items of the
setting screen 301 illustrated in FIG. 3 can be converted into
print data and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 106.
[0055] In the present exemplary embodiment and other exemplary
embodiments, the paper size of a tab sheet can be identical to or
greater than a document size having been set in a print job as part
of document information.
[0056] Further, in the present exemplary embodiment and other
exemplary embodiments, the print job received from an end user
environment includes a tab sheet document. The tab sheet document
can be a two-sided tab sheet document or a one-sided tab sheet
document.
[0057] When a tab sheet heading image is drawn by the main body
control unit 202 according to tab insertion information having been
set for an original document illustrated in FIG. 7, the drawing
position of the image can be calculated in the following
manner.
[0058] When the image forming apparatus 106 outputs a printed
product according to a print job that includes a tab sheet to be
added to a text document (i.e., an original document) generated by
a user, the image forming apparatus 106 generates a tab sheet
document according to detailed tab sheet settings having been set
by the user using the UI illustrated in FIG. 3 and inserts a tab
sheet at a predetermined position. Hereinafter, an example method
for controlling the image forming apparatus 106 to generate a tab
sheet document, insert the generated document at a predetermined
position, and print the document is described below.
[0059] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate tab sheet document generation
processing that can be applied to the image forming apparatus
according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4A illustrates
tab sheet generation setting values 401 and tab sheet heading
output examples that can be output according to the setting values
401.
[0060] For example, the main body control unit 202 of the image
forming apparatus acquires print setting information from a print
job received from the end user environment 101 and reads tab sheet
generation setting values 401 required to generate a tab sheet
document.
[0061] In the present exemplary embodiment, the tab sheet
generation setting values 401 include image orientation of a
document, tab sheet number-of-headings setting (see 302), insertion
paper size setting (see 304), tab sheet heading height setting (see
305), finishing format setting (see 306), and print surface setting
(see 307), which can be set by users via the setting screen
illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0062] The main body control unit 202 acquires the tab sheet
generation setting values 401 and positional information of a tab
sheet to be subjected to printing, and identifies the drawing
position of the heading 402 (i.e., headings 402a and 402b).
Regarding the drawing position of the heading 402, the main body
control unit 202 changes the print position according to a setting
value in the finishing format setting field 306 set by a user using
the setting screen illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0063] Therefore, the main body control unit 202 adjusts each
binding position 403 (i.e., binding positions 403a and 403b) in
such a way as to locate a heading area where heading characters
(e.g., [abc] in the present exemplary embodiment) are positioned
similarly in both the front and back surfaces when the heading
characters are printed on the tab sheet. In FIG. 4A, each binding
position is indicated by oblique lines.
[0064] FIG. 4B illustrates an example calculation of the drawing
position of a tab sheet heading image that can be realized by the
main body control unit 202. To determine the drawing position of
the heading 402, the main body control unit 202 adjusts the print
position according to the setting value in the finishing format
setting field 306.
[0065] Hereinafter, an example adjustment of the drawing position
for heading information to be printed on the back surface of the
tab sheet according to the finishing format based on the tab
position on the front surface of the tab sheet illustrated in FIG.
4B is described.
[0066] For example, if the setting value in the finishing format
setting field 306 is "different directions" with respect to the
front/back surfaces, the main body control unit 202 sets a heading
reference position 405 for the back surface document of the tab
sheet in such a way as to coincide with a position shifted (offset)
toward the outer side of the sheet (i.e., the lower side in FIG.
4B) from a heading reference position 404 for the front surface
document of the tab sheet. The shift (offset) amount in this case
is equal to the length of a short side of the sheet.
[0067] In the present exemplary embodiment, the finishing format
"different directions" with respect to the front/back surfaces
indicates that tab sheets are generated according to the calendar
format. Accordingly, when an image is printed on each of the
front/back surfaces of a tab sheet using a two-sided printing
function of the image forming unit 210, if a front surface tab
portion is positioned at the heading reference position 404, a tab
position in the back surface printing becomes the heading reference
position 405 (i.e., a position shifted (offset) by an amount
comparable to the length of a short side of the sheet).
[0068] Further, if the setting value in the finishing format
setting field 306 is "same direction" with respect to the
front/back surfaces, the main body control unit 202 sets a heading
reference position 406 for the back surface document of the tab
sheet in such a way as to coincide with a position shifted (offset)
toward the left side of the sheet from the heading reference
position 404 for the front surface document of the tab sheet. The
shift (offset) amount in this case is equal to (the number of tabs
in one set-present tab position+1).times.heading length. Thus, the
drawing position of the heading moves in the horizontal direction
by the above-described amount.
[0069] Then, with reference to the drawing shift amount calculated
using the above-described formula, the main body control unit 202
performs printing of the same heading information on both sides of
the tab sheet at respective tab positions. In this case, the
heading information (e.g., heading characters) can be aligned along
the front edge direction in the printed state.
[0070] Thus, when a tab sheet is printed based on the
above-described control and stored upright in a drawer, heading
characters printed on a tab portion coincide with each other in
position on both sides of the tab sheet and users can easily
recognize heading characters on the printed tab sheet.
[0071] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure for
controlling the image forming apparatus according to the present
exemplary embodiment. The image forming apparatus performs the
processing described in FIG. 5 when the image forming apparatus has
received a print job from the end user environment 101. To realize
the processing of respective steps relating to first tab sheet
heading print control, a central processing unit (CPU) (not
illustrated) constituting the main body control unit 202 executes a
control program loaded into a random access memory (RAM) from a
read only memory (ROM) or another nonvolatile memory.
[0072] As described in detail below, the main body control unit 202
receives a print job from the end user environment 101, and
determines a layout of heading information in such a way as to
align the information similarly in the up and down direction on
front/back surfaces of a tab portion of each tab sheet using sheet
print information included in the received job.
[0073] Further, as described in detail below, the main body control
unit 202 performs two-sided printing on front/back surfaces of a
tab position of a conveyed tab sheet using the determined layout of
the heading information.
[0074] In the present exemplary embodiment and other exemplary
embodiments, tab sheet print information includes the number of
tabs in one set, sheet type of each tab sheet, paper size of each
tab sheet, heading height of each tab sheet, finishing format of
each tab sheet, and two-sided printing of each tab sheet.
[0075] In step S501, if the image forming apparatus 106 receives a
print job from the end user environment 101, the image forming
apparatus 106 sends the print job to the main body control unit
202. The main body control unit 202 reads page and print settings
from the print job.
[0076] Next, in step S502, the main body control unit 202
determines whether a presently processed page requires tab sheet
printing. If the main body control unit 202 determines that the
presently processed page does not require any tab sheet printing
(NO in step S502), then in step S503, the main body control unit
202 controls the image forming unit 210 to perform printing using
general paper (i.e., a sheet other than the tab sheet) in order of
pages of the original document as illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0077] On the other hand, if the main body control unit 202
determines that the presently processed page requires tab sheet
printing (YES in step S502), then in step S504, the main body
control unit 202 determined whether the one-sided/two-sided print
setting state for the tab sheet in the print job is "two-sided
printing."
[0078] If the main body control unit 202 determines that the
one-sided/two-sided print setting state is "one-sided printing" (NO
in step S504), then in step S505, the main body control unit 202
performs first heading image generation processing as described
below.
[0079] On the other hand, if the main body control unit 202
determines that the one-sided/two-sided print setting state is
"two-sided printing" (YES in step S504), then in step S506, the
main body control unit 202 determines whether the print surface of
the present page is the front side or the other side of a tab
sheet. If the main body control unit 202 determines that the print
surface is the front side, then in step S505, the main body control
unit 202 performs the first heading image generation processing in
the same manner as processing for the one-sided printing.
[0080] On the other hand, if in step S506 the main body control
unit 202 determines that the print surface is the other side, the
processing proceeds to step S507. Then, in step S507, the main body
control unit 202 acquires setting information in the finishing
format setting field 306 and the image orientation. Then, with
respect to the finishing format, the main body control unit 202
determines whether the image orientation is "horizontal writing"
and "different directions" with respect to the front/back surfaces,
or the image orientation is "vertical writing" and "same direction"
with respect to the front/back surfaces, or the image orientation
is "horizontal writing" and "same direction" with respect to the
front/back surfaces.
[0081] If the main body control unit 202 determines that the image
orientation in the finishing format setting field 306 is
"horizontal writing" and "different directions" with respect to the
front/back surfaces or the image orientation in the finishing
format setting field 306 is "vertical writing" and "same direction"
with respect to the front/back surfaces, the processing proceeds to
step S505. Then, in step S505, the main body control unit 202
performs the first heading image generation processing, similar to
the processing for the tab sheet one-sided printing.
[0082] On the other hand, if in step S507 the main body control
unit 2020 determines that the image orientation in the finishing
format setting field 306 is "horizontal writing" and "same
direction" with respect to the front/back surfaces, then in step
S508, the main body control unit 202 performs second heading image
generation processing.
[0083] If the first heading image generation processing or the
second heading image generation processing has been completed, then
in step S503, the main body control unit 202 controls the image
forming unit 210 to print each generated tab sheet image. If the
printing of the generated tab sheet image is completed, then in
step S509, the main body control unit 202 checks the presence of
the next page. If the main body control unit 202 determines that
the next page is present (YES in step S509), the processing returns
to step S501 and the main body control unit 202 repeats the
above-described processing. On the other hand, if the main body
control unit 202 determines that there is not any page to be
processed (NO in step S509), the main body control unit 202
terminates the processing of the flowchart illustrated in FIG.
5.
[0084] FIGS. 6A and 6B are flowcharts illustrating example control
procedures for controlling the image forming apparatus according to
the present exemplary embodiment. The processing procedures
illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B can be executed when the image
forming apparatus receives a print job from the end user
environment 101. To realize the processing of respective steps
illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the CPU (not illustrated)
constituting the main body control unit 202 executes a control
program loaded into the RAM from the ROM or another nonvolatile
memory.
[0085] FIG. 6A illustrates a detailed procedure of the processing
to be performed in step S505 (the first heading image generation
processing) illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 6B illustrates a detailed
procedure of the processing to be performed in step S508 (i.e., the
second heading image generation processing) illustrated in FIG. 5.
Hereinafter, example heading information layout processing that can
be realized by the main body control unit 202 is described in
detail below.
[0086] In the first heading image generation processing illustrated
in FIG. 6A (i.e., the processing to be performed in step S505
illustrated in FIG. 5), first in step S601, the main body control
unit 202 identifies the position of the presently printing page
with respect to the number of tabs in one set and reads a writing
start reference point corresponding to the identified position from
the memory. Then, in step S602, the main body control unit 202
generates an image with reference to the writing start reference
point read from the memory and terminates the processing of the
flowchart illustrated in FIG. 6A.
[0087] In the second heading image generation processing
illustrated in FIG. 6B (i.e., the processing to be performed in
step S508 illustrated in FIG. 5), first in step S603, the main body
control unit 202 identifies the position of the presently printing
page with respect to the number of tabs in one set and adjusts the
writing start reference point according to the finishing
format.
[0088] Next, in step S604, the main body control unit 202 changes
the binding position in such a way as to correctly locate the front
and back surfaces of the tab sheet. Then, in step S602, the main
body control unit 202 generates an image and terminates the
processing of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 6B.
[0089] Thus, an output result that corresponds to the original
document illustrated in FIG. 7 can be obtained. The present
exemplary embodiment relates to an example of processing for a
print job that includes a setting of a tab sheet to be inserted
between the second page and the third page of the original
document.
[0090] In the above-described exemplary embodiment, an output print
job does not include any tab sheet document as part of the original
document. Thus, even when the tab position of the front surface
differs from the tab position of the back surface in the two-sided
printing of a tab sheet, the printing system according to the
present exemplary embodiment can print heading characters similarly
on the front and back surfaces of a specified tab of the tab
sheet.
[0091] In particular, in a case where the tab sheet print surfaces
are "same direction" with respect to the front/back surfaces, the
printing system according to the present exemplary embodiment can
obtain a print result of heading characters aligned similarly along
the front edge of each of the front and back surfaces when the
heading characters are printed on a tab of the tab sheet (see FIG.
4B).
[0092] As described above, the first exemplary embodiment includes
processing for generating a tab sheet image and performing printing
of a heading on a tab sheet. A second exemplary embodiment includes
the following processing. In the second exemplary embodiment, the
end user environment 101 generates a print job that includes at
least one tab sheet image as part of an original document. The
image forming apparatus processes a print job when the job is
received from the end user environment 101.
[0093] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of the user interface that can
be displayed by a display apparatus included in the end user
environment 101 illustrated in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, an example tab
sheet print setting that can be performed in the end user
environment 101 is described below with reference to FIG. 8. The
setting screen illustrated in FIG. 8 is a tab sheet setting screen,
which can be displayed to enable a user to set parameters for a tab
sheet to be added to an original document.
[0094] In the present exemplary embodiment, the page number of the
original document is usable to designate the insertion position of
each tab sheet. According to the example settings illustrated in
FIG. 8, a set of five tab sheets is added to the original document
at a plurality of positions (i.e., first page, fourth page, seventh
page, tenth page, and thirteenth page).
[0095] In FIG. 8, a setting screen 801 includes a setting field 802
in which insertion positions of a tab sheet to be used can be
designated, a setting field 803 in which the type of an insertion
paper can be designated, and a setting field 804 in which the size
of the insertion paper can be designated. The setting screen 801
further includes a setting field 805 in which the heading height of
the tab sheet can be designated, a setting field 806 in which the
finishing format can be designated, and a setting field 807 in
which the surface to be printed can be designated. The setting
screen 801 further includes a setting fixing button 808.
[0096] In the present exemplary embodiment, the insertion paper
type setting field 803, the insertion paper size setting field 804,
the tab sheet heading height setting field 805, and the finishing
format setting field 806 can be used for detailed settings of tab
sheets to be printed.
[0097] In the end user environment 104 or the end user environment
105, if the setting fixing button (OK button) 808 is pressed, print
setting information having been designated in respective items of
the setting screen 801 illustrated in FIG. 8 can be converted into
print data and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 106.
[0098] In the present exemplary embodiment, the print job includes
print data that corresponds to tab sheet images illustrated in FIG.
12 or FIG. 13. Each tab sheet image included in the original
document may be comparable to the text in size (see FIG. 12) or may
be greater than the text (see FIG. 13).
[0099] Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, the original
document is an example document including tab sheet images
generated beforehand for the two-sided printing. However, according
to the examples illustrated in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the heading
positions of respective tab documents are designated to be
"different directions" with respect to the front/back surfaces.
Therefore, if it is required to print heading information in such a
way as to be aligned in the same direction in both the front and
back surfaces of the tab, processing for shifting the drawing
position is required as described below.
[0100] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate example calculations for
obtaining the drawing position of the tab sheet heading image
according to the present exemplary embodiment.
[0101] FIG. 9A illustrates an example calculation for calculating
the drawing position of the tab sheet heading image in a case where
a tab sheet generation document is similar to the tab sheet in size
as illustrated in FIG. 12.
[0102] The drawing position of the heading 402 requires the print
position to be changed according to the setting value in the
finishing format setting field 806. If the setting value in the
finishing format setting field 806 is "different directions" with
respect to the front/back surfaces, the image forming apparatus
performs printing according to the document without any change.
[0103] If the setting value in the finishing format setting field
806 is "same direction" with respect to the front/back surfaces,
the main body control unit 202 sets a heading reference position
901 for the back surface document of the tab sheet in such a way as
to coincide with a position shifted from a heading reference
position 902 for the front surface document of the tab sheet.
[0104] In this case, the shift amount in the vertical direction is
comparable to the length of a short side of the series sheet (e.g.,
A4 sheet for A4 tab sheet). The shift amount in the horizontal
direction is comparable to (the number of tabs in one set-present
tab position+1).times.heading length, as indicated by the arrow in
FIG. 9A.
[0105] FIG. 9B illustrates an example calculation for calculating
the drawing position of the tab sheet heading image in a case where
a tab sheet generation document is similar to the text in size as
illustrated in FIG. 13. More specifically, the tab sheet is greater
than the tab sheet generation document by an amount comparable to a
tab that protrudes toward the front edge.
[0106] In FIG. 9B, the main body control unit 202 adjusts the print
position for the drawing position of the heading 402 according to
the finishing format setting value (see the setting field 806)
having been set in the print job. For example, if the setting value
in the finishing format setting field 806 is "different directions"
with respect to the front/back surfaces, the image forming
apparatus performs printing according to the document without any
change.
[0107] Further, if the setting value in the finishing format
setting field 806 is "same direction" with respect to the
front/back surfaces, the main body control unit 202 sets a heading
reference position 903 for the back surface document of the tab
sheet in such a way as to coincide with a position shifted from a
heading reference position 904 for the front surface document of
the tab sheet. In this case, the shift amount in the vertical
direction is comparable to the length of a short side of the sheet.
The shift amount in the horizontal direction is comparable to (the
number of tabs in one set-present tab position+1).times.heading
length, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 9B.
[0108] More specifically, in the back surface printing, the image
forming apparatus prints heading characters on a tab using a back
surface tab sheet document, as illustrated in FIG. 12 or FIG. 13.
Therefore, it is required to shift the drawing position as
described above.
[0109] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example control
procedure for controlling the image forming apparatus according to
the present exemplary embodiment. The processing procedure
illustrated in FIG. 10 can be executed when the image forming
apparatus receives a print job from the end user environment 101.
To realize the processing of respective steps illustrated in FIG.
10, the CPU (not illustrated) constituting the main body control
unit 202 executes a control program loaded into the RAM from the
ROM or another nonvolatile memory.
[0110] As described below, the main body control unit 202 performs
processing for receiving a print job including tab sheet print
information from the end user environment 101 and determining the
layout of heading information in such a way as to align the heading
information similarly in the up and down direction on front/back
surfaces of each tab of the tab sheet.
[0111] More specifically, if the image forming apparatus 106
receives a print job, then in step S501, the image forming
apparatus 106 sends the received job to the main body control unit
202. The main body control unit 202 reads a page and related print
settings from the job. In the present exemplary embodiment, the
original document includes a tab generation document (including
front and back surfaces).
[0112] Next, in step S502, the main body control unit 202
determines whether a presently processed page requires tab sheet
printing. If the main body control unit 202 determines that the
presently processed page does not require any tab sheet printing
(NO in step S502), then in step S503, the main body control unit
202 performs printing using general paper (i.e., a sheet other than
the tab sheet).
[0113] On the other hand, if the main body control unit 202
determines that the presently processed page requires tab sheet
printing (YES in step S502), the processing proceeds to step S504.
In step S504, the main body control unit 202 determines whether the
print job includes any setting relating to one-sided/two-sided
printing for the tab sheet.
[0114] If the main body control unit 202 determines that the
one-sided/two-sided print setting state of the job is one-sided
printing (NO in step S504), then in step S1001, the main body
control unit 202 performs the first heading image generation
processing. On the other hand, if the main body control unit 202
determines that the one-sided/two-sided print setting state of the
job is two-sided printing (YES in step S504), the processing
proceeds to step S506.
[0115] Then, in step S506, the main body control unit 202
determines whether the print surface of the present page is the
front side of the tab sheet or the other side of the tab sheet. If
the main body control unit 202 determines that the print surface is
the front surface, then in step S1001, the main body control unit
202 performs the first heading image generation processing in the
same manner as the processing for the one-sided printing.
[0116] On the other hand, if in step S506 the main body control
unit 202 determines that the print surface is the back surface, the
processing proceeds to step S507. Then, in step S507, the main body
control unit 202 acquires the finishing format information (see the
setting field 806) and image orientation from the print job and
determines a finishing format based on the acquired
information.
[0117] If in step S507 the main body control unit 202 determines
that the finishing format (see the setting field 806) is "different
directions" with respect to the front/back surfaces, then in step
S1001, the main body control unit 202 performs the first heading
image generation processing in the same manner as the processing
for the one-sided printing.
[0118] On the other hand, in step S507, if the main body control
unit 202 determines that the finishing format (see the setting
field 806) is "same direction" with respect to the front/back
surfaces, then in step S1002, the main body control unit 202
performs the second heading image generation processing.
[0119] Then, if the first heading image generation processing or
the second heading image generation processing has been completed,
then in step S503, the main body control unit 202 controls the
image forming unit 210 to print a generated image. If the printing
processing has been completed, then in step S509, the main body
control unit 202 checks the presence of the next page.
[0120] If the next page is present (YES in step S509), the
processing returns to step S501 and the main body control unit 202
repeats the above-described processing. On the other hand, if the
main body control unit 202 determines that there is not any page to
be processed (NO in step S509), the main body control unit 202
terminates the processing of the flowchart illustrated in FIG.
10.
[0121] FIGS. 11A and 11B are flowcharts illustrating example
control procedures for controlling the image forming apparatus
according to the present exemplary embodiment. The processing
procedures illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B can be executed when
the image forming apparatus receives a print job from the end user
environment 101. To realize the processing of respective steps
illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the CPU (not illustrated)
constituting the main body control unit 202 executes a control
program loaded into the RAM from the ROM or another nonvolatile
memory.
[0122] FIG. 11A illustrates a detailed procedure of the processing
to be performed in step S1001 (i.e., the first heading image
generation processing) illustrated in FIG. 10. FIG. 11B illustrates
a detailed procedure of the processing to be performed in step
S1002 (i.e., the second heading image generation processing)
illustrated in FIG. 10. Hereinafter, example heading information
layout processing that can be realized by the main body control
unit 202 is described in detail below.
[0123] In the first heading image generation processing (i.e., the
processing to be performed in step S1001), first in step S1101, the
main body control unit 202 acquires the document size of a tab
sheet to be printed, which has been set in the print job via the
insertion paper size setting field 804.
[0124] If the main body control unit 202 determines that the
insertion paper size (see the setting field 804) is similar to the
tab sheet size, then in step S1102, the main body control unit 202
sets the image shift amount to be zero because the printing is
performed without shifting tab sheet image.
[0125] On the other hand, if the main body control unit 202
determines that the insertion paper size (see the setting field
804) is similar to the text size, then in step S1103, the main body
control unit 202 sets the image shift amount to be equal to a
setting value in the heading height setting field 805 because the
tab sheet image is required to move toward the outer side so as to
fit for the tab sheet.
[0126] Then, in step S1104, the main body control unit 202 shifts
the tab sheet image toward the outer side of the sheet by the
setting amount calculated in step S1102 or step S1103. Then, the
main body control unit 202 terminates the processing of the
flowchart illustrated in FIG. 11A.
[0127] On the other hand, in the second heading image generation
processing (i.e., the processing to be performed in step S1002),
first in step S1101, the main body control unit 202 acquires the
document size of a tab sheet to be printed, which has been set in
the print job via the insertion paper size setting field 804.
[0128] If the main body control unit 202 determines that the
insertion paper size (see the setting field 804) is similar to the
tab sheet size, then in step S1105, the main body control unit 202
designates a series sheet of the tab sheet to be used to calculate
the vertical position of the heading. For example, the main body
control unit 202 designates A4 size if the size of the used tab
sheet is A4 and Letter size if the size of the used tab sheet is
Letter.
[0129] Then, in step S1106, the main body control unit 202
calculates a horizontal position of the heading to be printed on
the back surface using the reference point on the front surface of
the tab sheet. Then, in step S1102, the main body control unit 202
determines a shift amount required to print heading information in
printing of the back surface of the tab sheet based on the
horizontal position of the heading obtained in step S1105 and step
S1106. Then, the main body control unit 202 terminates the
processing of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 11B.
[0130] On the other hand, if in step S1101 the main body control
unit 202 determines that the insertion paper size (see the setting
field 804) is similar to the text size, then in step S1107, the
main body control unit 202 calculates a horizontal position of the
heading to be printed on the back surface of the tab sheet using
the reference point on the front surface of the tab sheet.
[0131] Next, in step S1103, the main body control unit 202
determines a shift amount required to determine the print position
of the heading on the tab sheet in printing of the back surface of
the tab sheet, based on the horizontal position of the heading to
be printed on the back surface of the tab sheet calculated in step
S1107 and the insertion paper size setting value (see the setting
field 804) having been set in the print job.
[0132] Then, in step S1104, the main body control unit 202 shifts
an image of the back surface of the tab sheet document toward the
outer side of the sheet by the shift amount calculated in step
S1102 or step S1103.
[0133] Then, in step S1108, the main body control unit 202 adjusts
the binding position in imposition of the tab sheet for the
positioning of the front and back surfaces of the tab sheet. Then,
the main body control unit 202 terminates the processing of the
flowchart illustrated in FIG. 11B.
[0134] Thus, if the tab sheet document generated by a user is
similar to the text in size, the image forming apparatus can output
a print result illustrated in FIG. 12. Further, if the tab sheet
document generated by a user is similar to the tab sheet in size,
the image forming apparatus can output a print result illustrated
in FIG. 13.
[0135] Each of FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 illustrates an original document
in comparison with an output result of printed tab sheets. In the
present exemplary embodiment, if an original document includes any
tab sheet document, the image forming apparatus can print heading
information on front/back surfaces of a tab sheet based on the tab
sheet document.
[0136] In particular, in a case where tab sheet print surfaces are
"same direction" with respect to the front/back surfaces, the
printing system according to the present exemplary embodiment can
obtain a print result of heading characters aligned similarly along
the front edge of each of the front and back surfaces when the
heading characters are printed on a tab of the tab sheet.
[0137] Further, the printing system according to the present
exemplary embodiment can print heading information on a tab without
causing any positional deviation when a user generates a tab sheet
document having a size comparable to the text and further when a
user generates a tab sheet document having a size comparable to the
tab sheet.
[0138] As described above, the second exemplary embodiment includes
the processing of a print job that includes a tab sheet image
dedicated to a front surface and a tab sheet image dedicated to a
back surface as part of an original document beforehand.
[0139] Hereinafter, example processing according to a third
exemplary embodiment is described below. In the third exemplary
embodiment, the image forming apparatus processes a print job that
includes only a front surface tab sheet document as part of an
original document.
[0140] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of the user interface that
can be displayed on the display apparatus included in the end user
environment illustrated in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, an example tab
sheet print setting in the end user environment 101 is described
below with reference to FIG. 14. The user interface according to
the present exemplary embodiment includes a document format setting
field 1401, in which the document format can be designated, in
addition the setting fields illustrated in the setting screen
illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0141] More specifically, the setting screen 801 illustrated in
FIG. 14 includes the insertion position setting field 802, the
insertion paper type setting field 803, the insertion paper size
setting field 804, the tab sheet heading height setting field 805,
the finishing format setting field 806, the print surface setting
field 807, the tab sheet document format setting field 1401, and
the setting fixing button 808.
[0142] Users can press the setting fixing button (i.e., OK button)
808 after completing detailed settings for a tab sheet to be used
in printing while designating setting values in the insertion paper
type setting field 803, the insertion paper size setting field 804,
the tab sheet heading height setting field 805, and the finishing
format setting field 806.
[0143] If a user presses the setting fixing button 808, the end
user environment 104 or the end user environment 105 converts the
setting values in respective items of the setting screen 801 into
print data and transmits a print job including the converted print
data, as print setting information, to the image forming apparatus
106.
[0144] An example of tab sheet heading image drawing position
calculation that can be realized by the main body control unit 202
according to the present exemplary embodiment is described
below.
[0145] FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D illustrate the tab sheet
heading image drawing position calculation that can be realized by
the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary
embodiment. FIGS. 15A and 15C illustrate the tab sheet heading
image drawing position calculation in a case where the tab sheet
document is similar to the tab sheet in size.
[0146] In FIG. 15A, the main body control unit 202 adjusts the
print position with respect to the drawing position of the heading
402 according to the finishing format setting value (see 806)
having been set in the print job. For example, if the setting value
in the finishing format setting field 806 is "different directions"
with respect to the front/back surfaces, the main body control unit
202 sets a heading reference position 1501 on the back surface of
the tab sheet in such a way as to coincide with a position shifted
from a heading reference position 1502 on the front surface of the
tab sheet.
[0147] In the present exemplary embodiment, only the front surface
tab sheet document is included in the print job. Therefore, the
main body control unit 202 calculates the shift amount in the
following manner to determine the drawing position.
[0148] If a user generates a tab sheet document having a size
comparable to that of the tab sheet, the main body control unit 202
calculates a shift amount that is equivalent to the length of a
short side of the series sheet (e.g., A4 sheet for A4 tab sheet) in
the vertical direction of the front surface tab sheet document.
[0149] On the other hand, regarding the shift amount in a case
where the front surface tab sheet document is similar to the text
in size, the main body control unit 202 adjusts the print position
with respect to the drawing position of the heading 402 based on
the setting value in the finishing format setting field 806 as
illustrated in FIG. 15B.
[0150] More specifically, if the setting value in the finishing
format setting field 806 illustrated in FIG. 14 is "different
directions" with respect to the front/back surfaces, the main body
control unit 202 sets a heading reference position 1503 for the
back surface document of the tab sheet in such a way as to coincide
with a position shifted from a heading reference position 1504 for
the front surface document of the tab sheet in the vertical
direction by an amount comparable to the length of a short side of
the tab sheet.
[0151] On the other hand, if the document size is similar to the
tab sheet size, the main body control unit 202 calculates the
drawing position of a tab sheet heading image in the following
manner.
[0152] As illustrated in FIG. 15C, the main body control unit 202
adjusts the drawing position of the heading 402 based on the
setting value in the finishing format setting field 806 illustrated
in FIG. 14. If the setting value in the finishing format setting
field 806 illustrated in FIG. 14 is "same direction" with respect
to the front/back surfaces, the main body control unit 202 sets a
heading reference position 1505 for the back surface document of
the tab sheet in such a way as to coincide with a position shifted
from a heading reference position 1506 for the front surface
document of the tab sheet, which is included in the original
document as illustrated in FIG. 15C. In this case, the shift amount
in the horizontal direction is comparable to (the number of tabs in
one set-present tab position+1).times.heading length.
[0153] If the tab sheet document is similar to the text in size as
illustrated in FIG. 15D, the main body control unit 202 calculates
the drawing position of a tab sheet heading image in the following
manner.
[0154] In FIG. 15D, the main body control unit 202 adjusts the
print position with respect to the drawing position of the heading
402 according to the setting value in the finishing format setting
field 806 illustrated in FIG. 14. For example, if the setting value
in the finishing format setting field 806 illustrated in FIG. 14 is
"same direction" with respect to the front/back surfaces, the main
body control unit 202 sets a heading reference position 1507 for
the back surface document of the tab sheet in such a way as to
coincide with a position shifted from a heading reference position
1508 for the front surface document of the tab sheet. In this case,
the shift amount in the horizontal direction is comparable to (the
number of tabs in one set-present tab position+1).times.heading
length. The shift amount in the vertical direction is comparable to
the heading height.
[0155] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example control
procedure for controlling the image forming apparatus according to
the present exemplary embodiment. The processing procedure
illustrated in FIG. 16 can be executed when the image forming
apparatus receives a print job from the end user environment 101.
To realize the processing of respective steps illustrated in FIG.
16, the CPU (not illustrated) constituting the main body control
unit 202 executes a control program loaded into the RAM from the
ROM or another nonvolatile memory.
[0156] As described below, the main body control unit 202 performs
processing for receiving a print job including tab sheet print
information from the end user environment 101 and determining the
layout of heading information in such a way as to align the heading
information similarly in the up and down direction on front/back
surfaces of each tab of the tab sheet.
[0157] More specifically, if the image forming apparatus 106
receives a print job, then in step S501, the image forming
apparatus 106 sends the received job to the main body control unit
202. The main body control unit 202 reads print settings from the
job.
[0158] Next, in step S502, the main body control unit 202
determines whether a presently processed page requires tab sheet
printing. If the main body control unit 202 determines that the
presently processed page does not require any tab sheet printing
(NO in step S502), then in step S503, the main body control unit
202 controls the image forming unit 210 to perform printing using
general paper (i.e., a sheet other than the tab sheet).
[0159] On the other hand, if the main body control unit 202
determines that the presently processed page requires tab sheet
printing (YES in step S502), the processing proceeds to step S504.
In step S504, the main body control unit 202 determines whether the
print job includes any setting relating to one-sided/two-sided
printing for the tab sheet.
[0160] If the main body control unit 202 determines that the
one-sided/two-sided print setting state of the job is one-sided
printing (NO in step S504), then in step S1001, the main body
control unit 202 performs the first heading image generation
processing.
[0161] On the other hand, if the main body control unit 202
determines that the one-sided/two-sided print setting state of the
job is two-sided printing (YES in step S504), the processing
proceeds to step S1601. Then, in step S1601, the main body control
unit 202 determines whether the document format of the tab sheet is
two-sided tab sheet data or one-sided tab sheet data with reference
to the tab sheet document format setting value (see the setting
field 1401) having been set in the print job.
[0162] More specifically, the main body control unit 202 determines
whether two-sided tab sheet data or one-sided tab sheet data is
included as a tab sheet document in the original document.
[0163] If the main body control unit 202 determines that the tab
sheet document data is two-sided printing tab sheet data (NO in
step S1601), then in step S506, the main body control unit 202
determines whether the print surface of the present page is the
front side of the tab sheet or the other side of the tab sheet. If
the main body control unit 202 determines that the print surface is
the front surface, then in step S1001, the main body control unit
202 performs the first heading image generation processing in the
same manner as the processing for the one-sided printing.
[0164] On the other hand, if in step S506 the main body control
unit 202 determines that the print surface is the back surface,
then in step S507, the main body control unit 202 determines
whether the finishing format is "different directions" or "same
direction" with respect to the front/back surfaces with reference
to the setting value in the finishing format setting field 806.
[0165] If the main body control unit 202 determines that the
setting value in the finishing format setting field 806 is
"different directions" with respect to the front/back surfaces,
then in step S1001, the main body control unit 202 performs the
first heading image generation processing in the same manner as the
processing for the one-sided printing.
[0166] On the other hand, if in step S507 the main body control
unit 202 determines that the setting value in the finishing format
setting field 806 is "same direction" with respect to the
front/back surfaces, then in step S1002, the main body control unit
202 performs the second heading image generation processing.
[0167] Further, if the main body control unit 202 determines that
the tab sheet document data is one-sided printing tab sheet data
(YES in step S1601), the processing proceeds to step S1602.
[0168] Then, in step S1602, the main body control unit 202 controls
the image forming unit 210 to perform printing of the front surface
of the tab sheet. Next, in step S1603, the main body control unit
202 copies the tab sheet data used in the printing of the front
surface in the memory. Then, in step S1604, the main body control
unit 202 acquires the finishing format setting value (see the
setting field 806) having been set in the print job and determines
whether the finishing format is "different directions" or "same
direction" with respect to the front/back surfaces.
[0169] If the main body control unit 202 determines that the
setting value in the finishing format setting field 806 is
"different directions" with respect to the front/back surfaces,
then in step S1605, the main body control unit 202 performs third
heading image generation processing in the same manner as the
processing for the one-sided printing.
[0170] On the other hand, if in step S1604 the main body control
unit 202 determines that the setting value in the finishing format
setting field 806 is "same direction" with respect to the
front/back surfaces, then in step S1606, the main body control unit
202 performs fourth heading image generation processing.
[0171] If the first to fourth heading image generation processing
is completed, then in step S503, the main body control unit 202
controls the image forming unit 210 to print the generated tab
sheet image on a tab sheet. Subsequently, in step S509, the main
body control unit 202 checks the presence of the next page.
[0172] If the next page is present (YES in step S509), the
processing returns to step S501 and the main body control unit 202
repeats the above-described processing. On the other hand, if the
main body control unit 202 determines that there is not any page to
be processed (NO in step S509), the main body control unit 202
terminates the processing of the flowchart illustrated in FIG.
16.
[0173] FIGS. 17A and 17B are flowcharts illustrating example
control procedures for controlling the image forming apparatus
according to the present exemplary embodiment. The processing
procedures illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B can be executed when
the image forming apparatus receives a print job from the end user
environment 101. To realize the processing of respective steps
illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the CPU (not illustrated)
constituting the main body control unit 202 executes a control
program loaded into the RAM from the ROM or another nonvolatile
memory.
[0174] FIG. 17A illustrates a detailed procedure of the processing
to be performed in the step S1605 (i.e., the third heading image
generation processing) illustrated in FIG. 16. FIG. 17B illustrates
a detailed procedure of the processing to be performed in the step
S1606 (i.e., the fourth heading image generation processing)
illustrated in FIG. 16. Hereinafter, example heading information
layout processing that can be realized by the main body control
unit 202 is described in detail below.
[0175] In the third heading image generation processing (i.e., the
processing to be performed in step S1605), first in step S1101, the
main body control unit 202 acquires the document size of a tab
sheet to be printed, which has been set in the print job via the
insertion paper size setting field 804 of the setting screen
illustrated in FIG. 14.
[0176] If in step S1101 the main body control unit 202 determines
that the insertion paper size (see the setting field 804) is
similar to the tab sheet size, then in step S1701, the main body
control unit 202 designates a series sheet of the tab sheet to be
used to calculate the vertical position of the heading on the back
tab sheet document. For example, the main body control unit 202
designates A4 size if the size of the used tab sheet is A4 and
Letter size if the size of the used tab sheet is Letter.
[0177] Next, in step S1702, the main body control unit 202
calculates the horizontal position of the heading to be printed on
the back surface using the reference point on the front surface of
the printed tab sheet. Next, in step S1102, the main body control
unit 202 determines a shift amount of a tab sheet image to perform
back surface tab sheet printing, based on the horizontal position
of the heading and the Letter size value obtained in step S1701 and
step S1702.
[0178] If in step S1101 the main body control unit 202 determines
that the insertion paper size (see the setting field 804) is
similar to the text size, the processing proceeds to step
S1703.
[0179] Then, in step S1703, the main body control unit 202
calculates a horizontal position of the heading to be printed on
the back surface using the reference point on the front surface of
the printed tab sheet. Next, in step S1103, the main body control
unit 202 determines a shift amount based on the value obtained in
step S1703 and the insertion paper size (see the setting field
804).
[0180] Next, in step S1104, the main body control unit 202 shifts
the image toward the outer side of the sheet by the value
calculated in step S1102 or step S1103. Then, in step S1108, the
main body control unit 202 adjusts the binding position in
imposition of the tab sheet for the positioning of the front and
back surfaces of the tab sheet. Then, the main body control unit
202 terminates the processing of the flowchart illustrated in FIG.
17A.
[0181] On the other hand, in the fourth heading image generation
processing (i.e., the processing to be performed in step S1606)
illustrated in FIG. 17B, first in step S1101, the main body control
unit 202 acquires the document size of a tab sheet to be printed,
which has been set in the print job via the insertion paper size
setting field 804.
[0182] If the main body control unit 202 determines that the
insertion paper size (see the setting field 804) is similar to the
tab sheet, then in step S1704, the main body control unit 202
designates a series sheet of the tab sheet to be used to calculate
the vertical position of the heading. For example, the main body
control unit 202 designates A4 size if the size of the used tab
sheet is A4 and Letter size if the size of the used tab sheet is
Letter.
[0183] Next, in step S1705, the main body control unit 202
calculates the horizontal position of the heading to be printed on
the back surface using the reference point on the front surface of
the printed tab sheet. Next, in step S1102, the main body control
unit 202 determines a shift amount based on the horizontal position
of the heading on the back surface of the tab sheet and the Letter
size value obtained in step S1704 and step S1705.
[0184] On the other hand, if in step S1101 the main body control
unit 202 determines that the insertion paper size (see the setting
field 804) is similar to the text size, then in step S1706, the
main body control unit 202 calculates a horizontal position of the
heading to be printed on the back surface of the tab sheet using
the reference point on the front surface of the printed tab
sheet.
[0185] Next, in step S1103, the main body control unit 202
determines a shift amount based on the value obtained in step S1706
and the insertion paper size (see the setting field 804). Then, in
step S1104, the main body control unit 202 shifts a front surface
tab sheet image on the memory so that the back surface tab sheet
printing can be performed by shifting the reference point of the
front surface tab sheet toward the outer side to perform printing
of the back surface of the tab sheet using the values obtained in
steps S1102 and S1103.
[0186] Then, in step S1108, the main body control unit 202 adjusts
the binding position in imposition of the tab sheet for the
positioning of the front and back surfaces of the tab sheet. Then,
the main body control unit 202 terminates the processing of the
flowchart illustrated in FIG. 17B.
[0187] Each of FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 illustrates an original document
in comparison with an output result of printed tab sheets. FIG. 18
illustrates a document output result including an inserted tab
sheet, which can be obtained when a user generates a document
having a size comparable to that of the text. Further, FIG. 19
illustrates a document output result including an inserted tab
sheet, which can be obtained when a user generates a document
having a size comparable to that of the tab sheet.
[0188] In the present exemplary embodiment, if only a front surface
tab sheet document is included in an original document, the image
forming apparatus can generate a back surface tab sheet document
based on the front surface tab sheet document and can print heading
information on front/back surfaces of a tab sheet based on the
generated tab sheet document.
[0189] In particular, in a case where tab sheet print surfaces are
"same direction" with respect to the front/back surfaces, the
printing system according to the present exemplary embodiment can
obtain a print result of heading characters aligned similarly along
the front edge of each of the front and back surfaces when the
heading characters are printed on a tab of the tab sheet.
[0190] Further, the printing system according to the present
exemplary embodiment can print heading information on a tab without
causing any positional deviation when a user generates a tab sheet
document having a size comparable to the text and further when a
user generates a tab sheet document having a size comparable to the
tab sheet.
[0191] In the above-described exemplary embodiments, the image
forming apparatus receives setting information that determines
whether to equalize the orientation of an image to be printed on a
tab portion of the front surface of a tab sheet with the
orientation of an image to be printed on a tab portion of the back
surface of the tab sheet.
[0192] However, the method for setting the orientation of an image
to be printed on a tab portion of the tab sheet is not limited to
the above-described method. For example, the printing system
described in the first exemplary embodiment can be modified to
enable users to independently set the orientation of an image to be
printed on a tab portion of the front surface of a tab sheet and
the orientation of an image to be printed on a tab portion of the
back surface of the tab sheet.
[0193] In this case, via the screen illustrated in FIG. 3, users
can determine whether to print the image on the tab portion of the
front surface of the tab sheet along the direction indicated by
402a in FIG. 4A or print the image along the direction rotated by
180 degrees.
[0194] Further, via the screen illustrated in FIG. 3, users can
determine whether to generate and print the image on the tab
portion of the back surface of the tab sheet along the direction
indicated by 402b in FIG. 4A or print the image along the direction
after rotating the image by 180 degrees.
[0195] If the setting is performed using the above-described
method, the control unit 202 generates a tab portion image
according to the designated method and controls the image forming
unit 210 to print the tab portion image. Thus, users can arbitrary
set the orientation of an image to be printed on a tab portion of
the front surface of a tab sheet and the orientation of an image to
be printed on a tab portion of the back surface of the tab sheet.
Each user can obtain a printed product that includes an image
printed on a tab portion of a tab sheet according to a designated
orientation.
[0196] Further, it is useful to print an image on a tab portion of
the front surface of a tab sheet along the fixed direction
indicated by 402a and enable each user to determine whether to
print an image on a tab portion of the back surface of the tab
sheet along the direction indicated by 402a or the direction
indicated by 402b in FIG. 4A.
[0197] When the setting is performed using the above-described
method, the control unit 202 generates an image to be printed on a
tab portion of the front surface of a tab sheet to have the
orientation indicated by 402a and prints the generated image.
Further, the control unit 202 generates an image to be printed on a
tab portion of the back surface of the tab sheet. In this case, if
a user designates printing of a rotated image (e.g., by an amount
of 180 degrees), the control unit 202 rotates the image 180 degrees
and performs printing based on the rotated image.
[0198] In the above-described example settings, the orientation of
each document image is horizontal as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and
4B. However, the above-described settings can be applied similarly
even when the orientation of a document image is vertical. Further,
as described in the second exemplary embodiment or in the third
exemplary embodiment, if the end user environment 101 generates an
image to be printed on a tab portion of a tab sheet beforehand, it
is useful to rotate a tab portion image according to the
orientation designated by a user.
[0199] Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a
computer of a system or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU)
that reads out and executes a program recorded on a memory device
to perform the functions of the above-described embodiment (s), and
by a method, the steps of which are performed by a computer of a
system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing a
program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the
above-described embodiment (s). For this purpose, the program is
provided to the computer for example via a network or from a
recording medium of various types serving as the memory device
(e.g., computer-readable medium). In an example, a
computer-readable medium may store a program that causes a printing
apparatus to perform a method described herein. In another example,
a central processing unit (CPU) may be configured to control at
least one unit utilized in a method or apparatus described
herein.
[0200] While the present invention has been described with
reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.
The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all modifications, equivalent
structures, and functions.
[0201] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent
Application No. 2010-279669 filed Dec. 15, 2010, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
* * * * *